About the Safe Routes to School Recognition Program

The New Jersey Safe Routes Resource Center recognizes municipalities and schools (public, private, or charter) for their commitment to the Safe Routes to School program. Safe Routes to School Regional Coordinators can assist with nominations, or municipalities and schools can apply for recognition themselves. Nominees are asked to apply for recognition at one of four levels: First Step, Bronze, Silver, or Gold. The criteria for recognition at each level are listed below. The deadline to apply is January 31 each year.

Recipients are presented with a certificate or award depending on the level of recognition, and are promoted on the NJ SRTS website and possibly through other local media facilitated by Safe Routes to School Regional Coordinators. Certification is valid for three years, after which the school or municipality must re-apply for recognition.

High Schools are welcome to apply for the New Jersey Safe Routes to School Recognition Program if they meet the program criteria.

Resources for Applications:

Recognition Program Levels

School Achievements:
  • Complete an online nomination form
  • Identify a Safe Routes to School Champion to begin building a team (should not be a Safe Routes to School Coordinator)
    • For high schools, Champion can be a designated student leader.
Municipality Achievements:
School Achievements:
  • Complete First Step achievements
  • Support Letter from school or district
  • Hold at least two Safe Routes to School programs or events (or example, walk/bike to school day, bike rodeo, bike or pedestrian safety education event, mileage contest, poster contest, winter walking, other contests or safety challenges) from the past 12 months
  • High school student-led events targeted toward younger students can count toward high school recognition.
  • Implement one active transportation best practice (for example, bike parking, scooter storage, kiss and walk drop off/pick up locations, staggered dismissals prioritizing walkers/bikers, safe routes to bus stops)
Municipality Achievements:
  • Complete First Step achievements
  • Support Letter from the municipality
  • Meet ONE of the following requirements:
    • Lead, provide staff or perform outreach at two Safe Routes to School events from the past 12 months
    • Complete a Post Observation Report for the top 5 busiest Crossing Guard locations
    • Implement an innovative Safe Routes to School project, subject to approval by NJDOT
    • Implement an infrastructure project, within the last 3 years, to improve walking and bicycling to/from school as transportation in the community, subject to NJDOT approval
      • Can be temporary or permanent, must provide before/after photos
      • Temporary/permanent infrastructure project can only be used once per application cycle
School Achievements:
  • Meet bronze level achievements
  • Meet ONE of the following requirements:
    • Walkability/bikeability assessment
    • Implementation of at least two Safe Routes to School programs or events or active transportation best practice from the past two years (in addition to events used for Bronze achievement).
      • Student developed or led events are encouraged.
    • Ongoing year-round active travel program (for example, Bike Train, Walking Wednesdays, monthly SRTS programming, Walking School Bus.)
    • Student-led project subject to approval, must be pedestrian and/or bicycle related.
    • Implement an innovative program/project, subject to approval (use once per cycle).
      • Innovative project can be student body-led; with a focus on climate, energy, transportation, and how it pertains to safe walking and bicycling.
      • Innovative project can be career development focused
Municipality Achievements:
  • Meet bronze level achievements
  • Meet ONE of the following requirements:
    • Perform annual training of all Crossing Guards and re-training of returning Guards
    • Lead, provide staff and/or perform outreach for a total of at least six Safe Routes to School events from the past year, or 4 Safe Routes to School events in the past two years (in addition to events used for Bronze achievement).
    • Implement an innovative Safe Routes to School project, subject to approval by NJDOT
    • Implement an infrastructure project, within the last 3 years, to improve walking and bicycling to/from school as transportation in the community (if not already used for Bronze), subject to NJDOT approval
      • Can be temporary or permanent, must provide before/after photos
      • Temporary/permanent infrastructure project can only be used once per application cycle
School Achievements:
  • Meet silver level achievements
  • Show ongoing support of Safe Routes to School from PTO, Green Team, School Wellness Council, Student Body Government etc.
  • Meet ONE of the following requirements:
    • School Travel Plan with the 6 mandatory components from the past 5 years
    • Youth Council, Club, or Organization that addresses local walking and bicycling environment.
    • Adopt a supportive Safe Routes to School policy
    • Implement an innovative program/project, subject to approval
    • Integrate walking, bicycling, transit, micromobility, and the NJ Safe Passing Law into driver’s Education programs/Curriculum
Municipality Achievements:
  • Meet silver level achievements
  • Show ongoing support from Green Team, Borough Council, Borough Administration, etc.
  • Adopt a Complete & Green Streets Policy that meets minimum standards, based off of NJDOT model policy
  • Complete ONE of the following requirements:
    • Create Youth Council that addresses local walking and bicycling environment.
    • Active participant/member in completion of School Travel Plan from the past 5 years
    • Comprehensive municipal Crossing Guard Policy
    • Implementation of an innovative Safe Routes to School project, subject to approval
    • Implement an infrastructure project, within the last 3 years, to improve walking and bicycling to/from school as transportation in the community (if not already used for Bronze or Silver), subject to NJDOT approval
      • Can be temporary or permanent, must provide before/after photos
      • Temporary/permanent infrastructure project can only be used once per application cycle

Sustainable Jersey Actions

Municipalities and Schools that meet the requirements for the NJ Safe Routes to School Recognition Program can also earn points toward Sustainable Jersey and Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification. Visit the Sustainable Jersey Actions page to learn more!